Bhubaneswar: In the likelihood of Cyclone Yaas hitting the shores of Odisha, the Minister of Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water, Law, Housing and Urban Development on Sunday reviewed the preparedness and directed to strictly follow the SOP and instructions in this regard.
The Urban local bodies and PR institutions were directed to have alternative shelters and evacuation plan along with provision of adequate food stuff. Municipal Commissioners and Executive Officers were directed to remain alert to mitigate the effects of the tropical cyclone and associated heavy rain induced floods.
As per a press release issued by the department, Minister Pratap Jena instructed to make arrangement for alternate power supply and drinking water supply, special care for old, physically and mentally challenged, pregnant, lactating mothers, children and infants in the event of cyclone in all the ULBs, especially in 56 ULBs including CMC and BMC of 12 costal districts.
He also directed all the vulnerable households to identify and motivate for evacuation to safe shelters. "All emergency lights, DG sets and other shelter level equipment to be kept ready for use. All the Control Rooms will manage water supply and sanitation work," the release read.
They were further directed to pre-position machineries and equipment such as tree cutter along with skilled staff in the areas likely to be affected. ULBs will keep high capacity diesel pump sets in readiness for draining out water from low lying areas. Uninterrupted water supply will be ensured in the ULBs and water tankers will be prepositioned. Power generator sets are instructed to be kept ready for street lighting and water supply during power failures and all storage reservoirs are to be kept full to ensure availability of adequate stock for 24 hours immediately after cyclone, instructed Jena.
Jena also reviewed the arrangements made by the Panchayati Raj department and Rural Water Supply and Sanitation in view of the possible cyclone.